Staff report

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Corey Hart had surgery on his right knee on Jan. 25, at which time the team projected he would be sidelined four months.

However, Hart says he already is ahead of schedule in his rehab. In fact, he told The Associated Press that he expects to be back a month earlier than initially predicted.

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"If it takes a little longer then mid to end of May, but I feel good about end of April," Hart said.

The procedure, which the Brewers’ website reports was done to repair a small cartilage tear and to debride the joint surface, was the second on Hart’s right knee in the past year. He had surgery last spring to repair a meniscus tear.

In 149 games last season, Hart hit .270/.334/.507 with 30 homers and 83 RBIs. The 30-year-old, who has hit at least 20 homers in five of the past six seasons, is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2013 season.

Until Hart is ready to return, Mat Gamel, who is returning from season-ending ACL surgery, will handle the first-base duties.